The Certificates snap-in is a versatile tool for managing certificates for a user, computer, or service. It can be used to find out what certificates are stored on a computer, where they are stored, or the configuration options for those certificates.

In addition, using the Certificates snap-in, the user can launch wizards that simplify the tasks of:

• Enrolling for new certificates
  
  
• Renewing existing certificates
  
  
• Finding certificates
  
  
• Importing certificates
  
  
• Exporting or backing up certificates
  
  

In most cases, users do not have to personally manage their certificates and their certificate stores. That can be accomplished by administrators, by policy settings, and through programs that use certificates.

Administrators are the primary users of the Certificates snap-in and, as such, they are able to perform a wide variety of certificate management tasks in their personal certificate store as well as the certificate stores for any computer or service that they have the right to administer. Users can only manage certificates in their personal store.

For information about certificates and how to use the Certificates snap-in, see the following topics:

• Certificates Overview
  
  
• Add the Certificates Snap-in to an MMC
  
  
• Manage Certificates
  
  
• Troubleshoot Certificate-Related Problems
  
  
• Resources for Certificates